This year he caught more than a 1,000 rabbits

This school year has been one of firsts for Matt Nyland, night custodian at Steffan Manor Elementary School.

"I had first-graders sing me 'Happy Birthday,' which is amazing when you're not expecting anything like that," Nyland said Friday afternoon, sitting near the school's playground and exchanging smiles as students waved to "Mr. Matt."

In the 20 years he's spent as a custodian for the Vallejo City Unified School District, no student had ever sung him the "Happy Birthday" song.

And then there was the plaque he received at Wednesday's school board meeting, proclaiming the Vallejo resident as the district's Classified Employee of the Year.

"It was very nice. Totally unexpected," Nyland said, adding that he hadn't even known about the award until two years ago.

For the past week or so, Principal Lucius McKelvy, teachers, parents and staff have been congratulating Nyland for the honor. It was his first time ever standing before the five-member board.

"It really didn't hit me until a third-grader came to me in the hall on Tuesday and said, 'Mr. Matt, congratulations!'" Nyland said.

Nyland's career began two decades ago. He had been looking for a job and encouraged by the then-head custodian at Highland Elementary School to apply for a custodian position at the district.

Nyland agreed and was given a position as a custodian for Elsa Widenmann and Pennycook elementary schools. A year later, he transferred to Dan Mini Elementary School, where he stayed for about 10 years.

"I actually caught 1,000 rabbits (at the school)," Nyland said, recalling when a neighbor had released the cuddly creatures in the area, quickly breeding and establishing themselves underneath the school.

Nyland was transferred to Steffan Manor about 10 years ago as the district entered state receivership.

Nyland said he's thought about taking advantage of the various programs available to district employees, including perhaps returning to school. Regardless of his future, Nyland praised Steffan Manor's staff and faculty as among the finest he's worked with and said he loves the students.

"It's something about when you come to work and the little kids are happy, you can't not be happy," Nyland said.